THE teenager who left a man to later die in a hit-and-run after tweeting his picture yesterday apologised saying “he didn’t have a clue” how serious it was.

Craig Williams, 35, fell asleep in a bus lane after a night on the town.

Police believe he may have been hit after Ikram Choudhury, 17, posted the photo and tweeted: “Eeeehm wtf (what the f***)? Some guy just casually lying outside Ocean Terminal.”

Police yesterday quizzed the 25-year-old driver of a silver Vauxhall Astra. He came forward after publicity about the hit-and-run in Leith, Edinburgh, in the early hours of Sunday.

He is said to have cooperated with investigators and was released pending further inquiries.

Choudhury had spotted hotel worker Craig lying in the bus lane as a friend drove him home from a workout at a 24-hour gym.

He took his photo from the passenger seat and tweeted it at 1.56am. Several Twitter users urged him to delete the photo and alert police. An ambulance dispatcher brought it to the attention of cops.

But late yesterday the image, which the Record has chosen not to publish, could still be accessed on the internet.

Police spoke to Choudhury, of Canonmills, Edinburgh, but it is understood he is being treated as a witness and criminal proceedings against him are unlikely.

An uncle of the teenager, who would not give his full name, yesterday spoke of his family’s distress.

He said: “Ikram is very sorry about tweeting the picture and he is very, very sorry for what happened. The boy never thought this could happen and he is in a state of deep shock.

“He has never been in a situation like that in his life and because it was night time, he did not want to get out the car.

“Normally he does not go out at night and he has never drank in his life. All he saw was a guy lying down. He called police when he found the person had died and he will be tweeting an apology. He regrets it totally.

“It’s an unfortunate incident.”

Choudhury said: “News reports make out I knew how serious the situation was when I posted the tweet but I didn’t have a clue.”

Craig, a supporter of Cardiff City and the Wales rugby team, lived in Clermiston, Edinburgh, and worked at the Marriott hotel in the city’s Glasgow Road. He was found seriously injured in the bus lane in Ocean Drive just after 2am on Sunday.

He was rushed to hospital but died about two hours later.

Police said yesterday that earlier on Saturday evening he had been socialising on Leith Walk before taking a bus to Ocean Terminal.

A force spokesman said: “It appears he fell asleep in the bus lane and was then allegedly struck by a passing motorist.”

A preliminary report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal and officers have appealed for anyone with information to call them on 0131 311 3131 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Craig’s mother Mary and father Anthony were being comforted at home in Granton, Edinburgh. A friend said nobody wanted to speak about the tragedy.

Workmates paid tribute to Craig. He worked largely in the housekeeping department.

General manager Peter Dornom said: “The team at the hotel are deeply shocked at the loss of such a good friend and colleague, who was always prepared to help others and kept us all going with his warm and friendly smile.